HOT MELT ADHESIVE SUPPLY AND METHODS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH
A melter for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form is disclosed. The melter includes a heated receiving device having an interior with an inlet configured to receive the particulate hot melt adhesive and an outlet. A flexible hopper holds a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive and a particulate hot melt adhesive feed device allows the particulate hot melt adhesive to be directed from the flexible hopper to the inlet of the heated receiving device.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/115,964, filed Feb. 13, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to hot melt adhesive systems.
BACKGROUNDHot melt adhesive systems have many applications in manufacturing and packaging. For example, thermoplastic hot melt adhesives are used for carton sealing, case sealing, tray forming, pallet stabilization, nonwoven applications including diaper manufacturing, and many other applications. Hot melt adhesives often come in the form of solid or semi-solid pellets or particulates. These hot melt adhesive particulates are melted into a liquid form by a melter, and the liquid hot melt adhesive is ultimately applied to an object such as a work piece, substrate or product by a dispensing device suitable to the application.
A supply of unmelted hot melt adhesive pieces (referred to variously herein as “particulate hot melt adhesive,” “hot melt adhesive particulate,” “adhesive particulate”, or simply “particulate”) must be maintained and delivered to the melter in order for the melter to produce the liquid hot melt adhesive used by the dispensing device. For example, it is known for a person to employ a scoop or bucket to retrieve hot melt adhesive particulate from a bulk supply, and to deliver the particulate to a melter. Typically, this involves filling a hopper or other container associated with the melter one scoop of hot melt adhesive particulate at a time. This requires the person to handle the hot melt adhesive particulate closely, which may be undesirable because hot melt adhesive dust may be stirred up during handling. In addition, transferring hot melt adhesive particulate in this manner is prone to waste caused by spillage.
Other challenges relate to issues surrounding the propensity for particulates of hot melt adhesive to become stuck together under certain storage and use conditions. If particulates stick or agglomerate together, it becomes difficult to feed the particulate into a hopper and/or into an associated melter tank. Once the particulates are in the hopper associated with a melter tank, and the hopper is separated from the melter tank by a particulate feed device, clumping and sticking of particulates can be caused by heat emanating from the melter tank. Therefore, improvements generally related to these and related areas of hot melt adhesive dispensing systems are needed.
SUMMARYIn a first illustrative embodiment, the invention provides a melter for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form. The melter includes a heated receiving device having an interior with an inlet configured to receive the particulate hot melt adhesive and an outlet, the heated receiving device operative to heat and melt the particulate hot melt adhesive, and direct the hot melt adhesive as a liquefied form to the outlet. A flexible hopper is configured to hold a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive. A particulate hot melt adhesive feed device allows the particulate hot melt adhesive to be directed from the flexible hopper to the inlet of the heated receiving device.
The melter may have various alternative or additional aspects or components. For example, the flexible hopper further comprises a bag, and the bag may be formed of any suitable material for the application needs. One advantageous material is fabric, such as any strong woven or nonwoven material that can hold particulate hot melt adhesive. The flexible hopper further comprises at least a first section that can be articulated relative to another section to move particulate adjacent to a wall of the flexible hopper toward a central interior location of the flexible hopper.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a melter for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form, including a heated receiving device having an interior with an inlet configured to receive the particulate hot melt adhesive and an outlet. The heated receiving device is operative to heat and melt the particulate hot melt adhesive, and direct the hot melt adhesive as a liquefied form to the outlet. A flexible hopper is configured to hold a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive. An articulation device includes a driven element operative to move the particulate hot melt adhesive held in the flexible hopper. A particulate hot melt adhesive feed device allows the particulate hot melt adhesive to be directed from the flexible hopper to the inlet of the heated receiving device. This embodiment, as with the remaining embodiments, may also have alternative or additional aspects and/or components, such as described herein.
The flexible hopper further comprises movable wall portions and an articulation device moves the wall portions to move the particulate hot melt adhesive held in the flexible hopper. The articulation device may be operatively coupled to the interior and/or exterior of the movable wall portions associated with the flexible hopper.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a melter for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form, including a heated receiving device having an interior with an inlet configured to receive the particulate hot melt adhesive and an outlet. The heated receiving device is operative to heat and melt the particulate hot melt adhesive, and direct the hot melt adhesive as a liquefied form to the outlet. A hopper is configured to hold a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive. A driven device is positioned within the hopper. The driven device is capable of moving to thereby move the particulate hot melt adhesive within the hopper. A particulate hot melt adhesive feed device allows the particulate hot melt adhesive to be directed from the hopper to the inlet of the heated receiving device. The driven device may take on any suitable form. For example, the driven device may further comprise at least one rotating element configured to stir the particulate hot melt adhesive.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a melter for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form, including a heated receiving device having an interior with an inlet configured to receive the particulate hot melt adhesive and an outlet. The heated receiving device is operative to heat and melt the particulate hot melt adhesive, and direct the hot melt adhesive as a liquefied form to the outlet. A hopper is configured to hold a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive. A particulate hot melt adhesive feed device includes a driven feed element operative to move the particulate hot melt adhesive from the hopper to the inlet of the heated receiving device. A cover element is mounted for movement adjacent to the inlet of the heated receiving device between an open condition and a closed condition. The cover element is in the open condition when the feed device is activated to move the particulate hot melt adhesive to the inlet, and the cover element is in the closed condition when the feed device is not moving the particulate hot melt adhesive to the inlet. The driven feed element may take any suitable form. As examples, the feed element may further comprise at least one of: a rotating wheel, an auger, or a conveyor. The cover element may, for example, be heated and in the closed condition particulate hot melt adhesive will melt and flow past the cover element into the interior of the heated receiving device.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a melter for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form, including a heated receiving device having an interior with an inlet configured to receive the particulate hot melt adhesive and an outlet. The heated receiving device is operative to heat and melt the particulate hot melt adhesive, and direct the hot melt adhesive as a liquefied form to the outlet. A hopper is configured to hold a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive. A particulate hot melt adhesive feed device includes a driven feed element operative to move the particulate hot melt adhesive from the hopper to the inlet of the heated receiving device. An air mover device is positioned proximate the inlet opening of the heated receiving device, and the air mover device directs air across the inlet opening.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a melter for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form, including a heated receiving device having an interior with an inlet configured to receive the particulate hot melt adhesive and an outlet. The heated receiving device is operative to heat and melt the particulate hot melt adhesive, and direct the hot melt adhesive as a liquefied form to the outlet. A prepackaged container is provided and holds a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive. The prepackaged container includes an outlet. A particulate hot melt adhesive feed device allows the particulate hot melt adhesive to be directed from the outlet of the prepackaged container to the inlet of the heated receiving device.
The prepackaged container may take many forms. As examples, the prepackaged container can further comprise a bag and, therefore, be flexible. Or, the prepackaged container may comprise a rigid container. Even when the container comprises a bag, it may include rigid portions for support and/or at various locations such as at the outlet. A cover is provided on the outlet of the prepackaged container, and the cover is capable of being opened for establishing a flow path for the particulate hot melt adhesive through the outlet of the prepackaged container. For example, the cover may comprise a rupturable element that opens when mounted to the melter, such as by a piercing element. Alternatively, the cover may be manually or automatically opened during or after a process used to connect the prepackaged container to the melter.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a melter for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form, including a heated receiving device having an interior with an inlet configured to receive the particulate hot melt adhesive and an outlet. The heated receiving device is operative to heat and melt the particulate hot melt adhesive, and direct the hot melt adhesive as a liquefied form to the outlet. A container mounting component is positioned adjacent the heated receiving device. A prepackaged container is directly connected to the container mounting component and holds a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive. The prepackaged container includes an outlet. The prepackaged container is capable of being connected to and disconnected from the container mounting component to allow removal of one prepackaged container and replacement by a different prepackaged container. A particulate hot melt adhesive feed device allows the particulate hot melt adhesive to be directed from the outlet of the prepackaged container to the inlet of the heated receiving device. The prepackaged container may have various alternative or additional features or components, such as described herein as examples.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a flexible hopper configured to hold a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive for use with a melter for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form. The flexible hopper comprises at least one side wall defining an interior for holding the particulate hot melt adhesive. The side wall includes at least a first section that can be moved relative to another section to move particulate adjacent to a wall of the flexible hopper toward a central interior location of the flexible hopper. An outlet of the flexible hopper is in communication with the interior. A coupling element is configured to connect the outlet with a particulate hot melt adhesive feed device of the melter. The flexible hopper may have various additional or alternative features or components, such as those described herein.
In another aspect, the invention provides various methods. For example, a method is provided for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form. The method includes holding a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive in a flexible hopper including an outlet coupled in fluid communication with a pathway leading to an inlet of a heated receiving device. Particulate hot melt adhesive is fed from the outlet of the flexible hopper through the inlet of the heated receiving device. The particulate hot melt adhesive is heated and melted in an interior of the heated receiving device. Liquefied hot melt adhesive is directed from the interior of the heated receiving device to an outlet of the heated receiving device. The liquefied hot melt adhesive is directed from the outlet to a hot melt adhesive dispenser.
This method, as well as the other methods disclosed herein may have various additional or alternative aspects or steps. For example, agglomerated masses of the particulate hot melt adhesive in the flexible hopper may be broken apart by 1) moving at least one wall portion of the flexible hopper relative to another wall portion of the flexible hopper and/or 2) moving a device within the flexible hopper configured to contact and break apart the agglomerated masses.
Another method for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form includes holding a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive in a flexible hopper including an outlet coupled in fluid communication with a pathway leading to an inlet of a heated receiving device. The particulate hot melt adhesive in the flexible hopper is moved by a device within the flexible hopper. The particulate hot melt adhesive is fed from the outlet of the flexible hopper through the inlet of the heated receiving device. The particulate hot melt adhesive is heated and melted in an interior of the heated receiving device. Liquefied hot melt adhesive is directed from the interior of the heated receiving device to an outlet of the heated receiving device. The liquefied hot melt adhesive is pumped from the outlet to a hot melt adhesive dispenser.
Moving the particulate hot melt adhesive further comprises rotating the device within the flexible hopper. Moving the particulate hot melt adhesive can further or alternatively comprise moving at least one wall portion of the flexible hopper with respect to another wall portion of the flexible hopper.
Another method for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form includes holding a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive in a flexible hopper including an outlet coupled in fluid communication with a pathway leading to an inlet of a heated receiving device. At least one wall portion of the flexible hopper is moved with respect to another wall portion of the flexible hopper. The particulate hot melt adhesive is fed from the outlet of the flexible hopper through the inlet of the heated receiving device. The particulate hot melt adhesive is heated and melted in an interior of the heated receiving device. Liquefied hot melt adhesive is directed from the interior of the heated receiving device to an outlet of the heated receiving device. The liquefied hot melt adhesive is pumped from the outlet to a hot melt adhesive dispenser.
Moving the particulate hot melt adhesive in the flexible hopper further comprises engaging an interior surface of the wall portion with a driven device and moving the wall portion inward and outward. Moving the particulate hot melt adhesive in the flexible hopper can further or alternatively comprise engaging an exterior surface of the wall portion with a driven device and moving the wall portion inward and outward.
Another method for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form includes holding a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive in a first prepackaged container including a first outlet coupled in fluid communication with a pathway leading to an inlet of a heated receiving device. The particulate hot melt adhesive is fed from the first outlet of the first prepackaged container through the inlet of the heated receiving device. The particulate hot melt adhesive from the first prepackaged container is heated and melted in an interior of the heated receiving device. Liquefied hot melt adhesive is directed from the interior of the heated receiving device to an outlet of the heated receiving device. The liquefied hot melt adhesive is directed from the outlet to a hot melt adhesive dispenser. The first prepackaged container is removed from fluid communication with the pathway, and replaced with a second prepackaged container of particulate hot melt adhesive including a second outlet. The particulate hot melt adhesive is then fed from the second outlet of the second prepackaged container through the inlet of the heated receiving device, and the corresponding heating, melting, directing and pumping steps are performed with regard to the particulate from the second prepackaged container.
As exemplary additional aspects, the first and second prepackaged containers further comprise flexible bags, and the method further comprises opening respective first and second covers disposed over the first and second outlets either during or after coupling the first and second prepackaged containers, respectively, to a melter.
Various additional aspects and features of the invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments.
The melter 10 further comprises a heated receiving device 30, which may comprise a melting tank having a melting grid 32 in a lower portion (
Referring further to
In addition, the melter 10 includes a cooling air input, which may include a fan or other source for moving air 94 (
Referring to
This embodiment also includes a lid or cover element 180 for the heated receiving device 30. This lid 180 is opened to allow controlled delivery of the particulate hot melt adhesive 40 from the flexible hopper 20 into the chamber 34 of the heated receiving device 30 or tank. In this embodiment, the particulate hot melt adhesive 40 falls by gravity down and inclined ramp or chute 182 from an outlet 20a of the flexible hopper 20. The rotating paddle elements 174 at the lower end of the shaft 172 will continuously move the particulate hot melt adhesive 40 into the chute 182. When the melter or hot melt adhesive receiving device 150 indicates that there is a low level of adhesive in the chamber 34, an air cylinder 184 is activated to retract a rod 186. The rod 186 is coupled with a lever 190 by way of a pivot and slot connection 194 (see
Another embodiment of a melter 330 is shown in
Referring generally to
As further shown in
As best illustrated in
Referring to
The outer housing 612 may include a transfer hose connection 614 through which adhesive particulate may be suctioned or otherwise discharged from the supply system 610. The transfer hose connection 614 may be a connection piece that allows the supply system 610 to connect to and supply a separate device with adhesive particulate. The transfer hose connection 614 may be configured to create a seal with the separate device, such as a melter, such that suction is created between the supply system 610 and the separate device, thus allowing for the discharge of adhesive particulates.
Referring to
The flexible inner housing 640 may be supported by the outer housing 612. For example, the top portion 632 of the flexible inner housing 640 may be affixed to the outer housing 612 while side portions 633 and a bottom portion 634 of the flexible inner housing 640 remain un-affixed to the outer housing 612. An outer cavity 635 may be defined between the flexible inner housing 640 and the outer housing 612.
A suction lance 643, which may include an elongated hollow tube, is connected to the transfer hose connection 614 at an upper end and situated within the inner cavity 630 at a lower end. At the lower end of the suction lance 643, a transfer pump 646 having a transfer opening 650 provides suction or other motive means to cause, at least in part, the transfer of adhesive particulate from the inner cavity 630 to an attached device through the transfer hose connection 614. In some aspects, the suction or other motive means may be provided additionally or alternatively by a pump or other mechanism at the transfer hose connection 614 or further downstream from the transfer hose connection 614.
An agitator 636 facilitates movement of adhesive particulate within the inner cavity 630 and/or prevents clumping and sticking of adhesive particulate. In the embodiment depicted in
Upon the reciprocating operation of the one or more actuators 641, the agitator plates 642 may laterally engage with the side portions 633 of the flexible inner housing 640 to manipulate the shape of the flexible inner housing 640 and, thus, the adhesive particulate therein. The external lateral forces imparted upon the adhesive particulate by the agitator plates 642 may serve to prevent undesirable bridging or “ratholing” near the transfer opening 650 of the transfer pump 646 of the suction lance 643 and/or prevent or break up clumping of adhesive particulate before it reaches the area of the inner cavity 630 (e.g., the area proximate the bottom portion 34 of the flexible inner housing 40) from which the transfer pump 646 draws adhesive particulate. For example, “ratholing” may occur when a central void forms above the transfer opening 650 of the transfer pump 646 while adhesive particulate along the circumferential periphery of the inner cavity 630 fails to flow into the central void. The lateral force and manipulation caused by the actuation of the agitator plates 642 urges the adhesive particulate along the circumferential periphery of the inner cavity 630 to move to and fill in the central void and thus be suctioned into the transfer opening 650 of the transfer pump 646.
To further facilitate movement of adhesive particulate within the inner cavity 630, the transfer pump 646 may be configured with a vibrator 644 and pins 645. The vibrator 644 causes the transfer pump 646 and attached pins 645 to vibrate, thus agitating any adhesive particulate located near the transfer pump 646. The pins 645 may be affixed to the transfer pump 646 around a periphery of the transfer opening 650 and extend in a direction generally parallel to an elongate axis of the transfer pump 646 and/or the suction lance 643.
A vertical agitator 647 may be disposed in the outer cavity 635 between the bottom portion 634 of the flexible inner housing 640 and the bottom of the outer housing 612. The vertical agitator 647 may engage the bottom portion 634 of the flexible inner housing 640 to agitate by, for example, vertical oscillations, the adhesive particulate therein. For example, the vertical agitator 647 may include a vertical agitator plate 652 operatively connected to a vertical actuator 654. The vertical actuator 654 may be configured to vertically oscillate (i.e., in directions generally towards and away from the top opening 631 of the flexible inner housing 640) the vertical agitator plate 652, which is in contact with the bottom portion 634 of the flexible inner housing 640. The vertical oscillation of the vertical agitator plate 652 causes agitation of the adhesive particulate within the flexible inner housing 640, particularly the adhesive particulate proximate the transfer opening 650 of the transfer pump 646, to facilitate flow of the adhesive particulate into the transfer pump 646.
In an aspect, the agitator 636 may include multiple agitator rings 670. The multiple agitator rings 670 may be configured to rotate eccentrically in concert with each other, in a specified pattern or sequence, or in an unrelated manner (e.g., the rotation of a first agitator ring 670 is out of sync with a second agitator ring 670). Each agitator ring 670 may rotate at the same speed or variable speeds (e.g., a first agitator ring 670 rotates at a different speed as that of a second agitator ring 670). Similarly, the agitator rings 670 may be formed in the same shape or different shapes. It will be appreciated that agitator rings 670 that are not perfectly round may rotate on a fixed axis and still accomplish the desired function in agitating the adhesive particulates inside of the flexible inner housing 640.
The agitator 636 may include one or multiple agitator bars 680. The agitator bars 680 may be of varying cross-sectional shapes, such as round, square, triangular, etc. and may be straight, curved, or other shape. The agitator bars 680 may each be formed as a roller. In embodiments with multiple agitator bars 680, the agitator bars 680 may move up and down in concert with each other, in a specified pattern or sequence, or in an unrelated manner. For example, the agitator bars 680 may be configured such that one more upwards while another moves downward and vice versa. The agitator bars 680 may move at the same speed or at variable speeds.
It will be appreciated that the various agitation components of the supply system 610, such as the agitator 636, the agitator plates 642, the vibrator 644, the pins 645, the vertical agitator 647, the agitator ring 670, and/or the agitator bars 380, may be operated sequentially, concurrently, or in concert in a predetermined pattern. For example, in the embodiment depicted in
The flexible hopper 702 further includes an articulation device 708, such as the articulation device 102 depicted in
The flexible hopper 702 is configured with a coupling element 710, which may include the aperture 704, to connect the flexible hopper 702 with another device, such as a melter or an intermediate distribution or feed device connected to a melter, that receives the particulate hot melt adhesive supplied from the flexible hopper 702. For example,
As shown in
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of specific embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. The various features discussed herein may be used alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope or spirit of the general inventive concept.
Claims
1. A melter for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form, the melter comprising:
- a heated receiving device having an interior with an inlet configured to receive the particulate hot melt adhesive and an outlet, the heated receiving device operative to heat and melt the particulate hot melt adhesive, and direct the hot melt adhesive as a liquefied form to the outlet;
- a flexible hopper configured to hold a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive; and
- a particulate hot melt adhesive feed device allowing the particulate hot melt adhesive to be directed from the flexible hopper to the inlet of the heated receiving device.
2. The melter of claim 1, wherein the flexible hopper further comprises a bag.
3. The melter of claim 2, wherein the bag further comprises a fabric.
4. The melter of claim 1, wherein the flexible hopper further comprises at least a first section that can be articulated relative to another section to move particulate adjacent to a wall of the flexible hopper toward a central interior location of the flexible hopper.
5. The melter of claim 1, further comprising an articulation device comprising a driven element operative to move the particulate hot melt adhesive held in the flexible hopper.
6. The melter of claim 5, wherein the flexible hopper comprises movable wall portions and the articulation device moves the wall portions to move the particulate hot melt adhesive held in the flexible hopper.
7. The melter of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the articulation device is operatively coupled to an exterior of the movable wall portions.
8. The melter of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the articulation device is operatively coupled to an interior of the movable wall portions.
9. The melter of claim 1, further comprising a driven device positioned within the flexible hopper, the driven device configured to move the particulate hot melt adhesive within the flexible hopper.
10. The melter of claim 9, wherein the driven device comprises at least one rotating element configured to stir the particulate hot melt adhesive.
11. The melter of claim 1, further comprising:
- a driven feed element positioned within the particulate hot melt adhesive feed device, the driven feed element configured to move the particulate hot melt adhesive from the flexible hopper to the inlet of the heated receiving device; and
- a cover element mounted for movement adjacent to the inlet of the heated receiving device between an open condition and a closed condition, wherein the cover element is in the open condition when the adhesive feed device is activated to move the particulate hot melt adhesive to the inlet, and the cover element is in the closed condition when the adhesive feed device is not moving the particulate hot melt adhesive to the inlet.
12. The melter of claim 11, wherein the driven feed element further comprises at least one of a rotating wheel, an auger, or a conveyor.
13. The melter of claim 11, wherein the cover element is heated and, in the closed condition, particulate hot melt adhesive will melt and flow past the cover element into the interior of the heated receiving device.
14. The melter of claim 1, further comprising:
- an inlet opening within the heated receiving device, the inlet opening configured to receive the particulate hot melt adhesive;
- a driven feed element positioned within the particulate hot melt adhesive feed device, the driven feed element configured to move the particulate hot melt adhesive from the flexible hopper to the inlet of the heated receiving device; and
- an air mover device positioned proximate the inlet opening of the heated receiving device, the air mover device configured to direct air across the inlet opening.
15. A melter for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form, the melter comprising:
- a heated receiving device having an interior with an inlet configured to receive the particulate hot melt adhesive and an outlet, the heated receiving device operative to heat and melt the particulate hot melt adhesive, and direct the hot melt adhesive as a liquefied form to the outlet;
- a prepackaged container holding a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive and including an outlet; and
- a particulate hot melt adhesive feed device allowing the particulate hot melt adhesive to be directed from the outlet of the prepackaged container to the inlet of the heated receiving device.
16. The melter of claim 15, wherein the prepackaged container further comprises a flexible bag.
17. The melter of claim 15, wherein the prepackaged container further comprises a rigid container.
18. The melter of claim 15, further comprising a cover on the outlet of the prepackaged container, the cover capable of being opened for establishing a flow path for the particulate hot melt adhesive through the outlet of the prepackaged container.
19. The melter of claim 18, wherein the cover further comprises a rupturable element.
20. The melter of claim 15, further comprising:
- a container mounting component positioned adjacent the heated receiving device, wherein the prepackaged container is directly connected to the container mounting component, and wherein the prepackaged container is configured to be connected to and disconnected from the container mounting component to allow removal of one prepackaged container and replacement by a different prepackaged container.
21. A flexible hopper configured to hold a supply of particulate hot melt adhesive for use with a melter for heating and melting the particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form, the flexible hopper comprising:
- at least one side wall defining an interior for holding the particulate hot melt adhesive, the side wall including at least a first section that can be moved relative to another section to move particulate adjacent to a wall of the flexible hopper toward a central interior location of the flexible hopper;
- an outlet in communication with the interior; and
- a coupling element configured to connect the outlet with a particulate hot melt adhesive feed device of the melter.
22. The flexible hopper of claim 21, wherein the flexible hopper further comprises a bag.
23. The flexible hopper of claim 21, wherein the side wall further comprises a fabric.
24. The flexible hopper of claim 21, further comprising particulate hot melt adhesive in the interior and a cover on the outlet, the cover configured to be opened for establishing a flow path for the particulate hot melt adhesive through the outlet.
25. The flexible hopper of claim 24, wherein the cover further comprises a rupturable element.
26. A method for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form, the method comprising:
- holding a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive in a flexible hopper including an outlet coupled in fluid communication with a pathway leading to an inlet of a heated receiving device;
- feeding the particulate hot melt adhesive from the outlet of the flexible hopper through the inlet of the heated receiving device;
- heating and melting the particulate hot melt adhesive in an interior of the heated receiving device;
- directing liquefied hot melt adhesive from the interior of the heated receiving device to an outlet of the heated receiving device; and
- pumping the liquefied hot melt adhesive from the outlet to a hot melt adhesive dispenser.
27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:
- breaking apart agglomerated masses of the particulate hot melt adhesive in the flexible hopper by 1) moving at least one wall portion of the flexible hopper relative to another wall portion of the flexible hopper or 2) moving a device within the flexible hopper configured to contact and break apart the agglomerated masses.
28. The method of claim 26, further comprising moving the particulate hot melt adhesive in the flexible hopper by moving a device within the flexible hopper.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein moving the particulate hot melt adhesive by moving a device further comprises rotating the device within the flexible hopper.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein moving the particulate hot melt adhesive by moving a device further comprises moving at least one wall portion of the flexible hopper with respect to another wall portion of the flexible hopper.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein moving at least one wall portion further comprises reciprocating or rotating the device within the flexible hopper.
32. The method of claim 26, further comprising moving the particulate hot melt adhesive in the flexible hopper by moving at least one wall portion of the flexible hopper with respect to another wall portion of the flexible hopper.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein moving the particulate hot melt adhesive in the flexible hopper further comprises engaging an interior surface of the wall portion with a driven device and moving the wall portion inward and outward.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein moving the particulate hot melt adhesive in the flexible hopper further comprises engaging an exterior surface of the wall portion with a driven device and moving the wall portion inward and outward.
35. A method for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form, the method comprising:
- holding a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive in a first prepackaged container including a first outlet coupled in fluid communication with a pathway leading to an inlet of a heated receiving device;
- feeding the particulate hot melt adhesive from the first outlet of the first prepackaged container through the inlet of the heated receiving device;
- heating and melting the particulate hot melt adhesive from the first prepackaged container in an interior of the heated receiving device;
- directing liquefied hot melt adhesive from the interior of the heated receiving device to an outlet of the heated receiving device;
- pumping the liquefied hot melt adhesive from the outlet to a hot melt adhesive dispenser;
- removing the first prepackaged container from fluid communication with the pathway;
- replacing the first prepackaged container with a second prepackaged container of particulate hot melt adhesive including a second outlet;
- feeding the particulate hot melt adhesive from the second outlet of the second prepackaged container through the inlet of the heated receiving device;
- heating and melting the particulate hot melt adhesive from the second prepackaged container in an interior of the heated receiving device;
- directing liquefied hot melt adhesive from the interior of the heated receiving device to an outlet of the heated receiving device; and
- pumping the liquefied hot melt adhesive from the outlet to a hot melt adhesive dispenser.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the first and second prepackaged containers further comprise flexible bags, and the method further comprises:
- opening respective first and second covers disposed over the first and second outlets either during or after coupling the first and second prepackaged containers, respectively, to a melter.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 12, 2016
Publication Date: Aug 18, 2016
Patent Grant number: 10357796
Inventors: Christopher R. Chastine (Lawrenceville, GA), Justin A. Clark (Suwanee, GA), Peter W. Estelle (Norcross, GA), Howard B. Evans (Sugar Hill, GA), Charles P. Ganzer (Cumming, GA), Manuel A. Guerrero (Kennesaw, GA), Enes Ramosevac (Snellville, GA), John M. Riney (Buford, GA), Sang Hyub Shin (Duluth, GA), Leslie J. Varga (Cumming, GA)
Application Number: 15/043,285